New Delhi and Beijing recently convened the 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). Discussions during the Beijing meeting covered various issues such as delimitation, border management, mechanism building, and cross-border cooperation. The Indian delegation emphasized the importance of an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that both sides agreed to uphold regular exchanges and contacts at diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms. The meeting also saw a review of the situation in the India-China border areas, with both parties expressing contentment over the progress in maintaining peace and tranquility, facilitating the normalization of bilateral relations. The MEA described the discussions as constructive and forward-looking.
Led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia), the Indian delegation engaged with the Chinese delegation headed by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides committed to collaborative efforts in preparation for the upcoming meeting of the Special Representatives (SR) in China. Additionally, the Indian delegation leader met with key Chinese officials during the visit.
In a separate engagement, India and China participated in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Bilateral Consultations in New Delhi in April. The discussions revolved around the implementation of SCO Leaders’ decisions and the future trajectory of the organization. The two nations affirmed their commitment to enhancing mutual cooperation and consultations within the SCO framework, focusing on various areas including security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
